A conversation with SkÃ¥l Asia Presidential candidate Andrew J. Wood and Dr. Scott Michael Smith, Assumption Universityâs Course Coordinator from the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The following is a press release. Their statements are their own.
BANGKOK, Thailand: SkÃ¥l Asia Vice President Andrew J Wood today announced he is to run for election for President in the 2021-2023 SkÃ¥l Asia elections which takes place virtually on the 25th August 2021.Â
Woodâs nomination for the head of SkÃ¥l Asiaâs top job comes as no surprise to many, being the longest-serving member of the Asia board he is the most senior of the boardâs three Vice Presidents.Â
Wood first joined the SkÃ¥l Asian Area (SAA) board 16 years ago as Director of Development 2005-2009 and has twice held the VP office, first during 2009-2010 and most recently since 2017 to the present day.Â
Wood is a former past president of the Thailand National Committee 2012-14 and is currently President of the Skål Bangkok Club, a post he first held in 2008-10 and again 2018-present.
In 2010 Wood joined the Executive Board of SkÃ¥l International as a Director. He is a well-respected and decorated SkÃ¥l member and Wood has 29 years of distinguished service. There is no question that Wood has not only the experience and skills to lead SkÃ¥l Asia, but brings to the table an impressive service record in SkÃ¥l International, honed over many years.Â
Woodâs wealth of knowledge and contacts â both inside SkÃ¥l but equally important also on the global stage of travel and tourism â makes him an ideal candidate. A UK national, with a professional career in hospitality in Thailand, Woodâs adopted home for the past 30 years, has seen this experienced general manager manage some of the countryâs finest hotels, and resorts, including the famed Royal Cliff Group of Hotels. The Royal Cliff Resort was the host venue of the highly successful 2006 SkÃ¥l World Congress.Â
In 2019 he was awarded SkÃ¥lâs Membre DâHonneur and is a recipient of the SkÃ¥l Order of Merit, presented by President Mok Singh in 2013 and is a recipient of the SkÃ¥l Presidentâs Award, bestowed by President Peter Morrison in 2020.Â
In 2019 the Bangkok Club, under Woodâs leadership, won both the coveted SkÃ¥l Club of the Year 2018-19 and the Gold Award for growth.Â
In his preparation for the presidential election, Wood has prepared a 12 point road map for SkÃ¥l Asia which can be found here: https://skalbangkok.com/about-skal/skal-asia/Â
In response to my questions on leadership, Wood says, âI have always believed that there are those born to lead and those born to be led. My training and experience have given me the skill set to be an effective leader having risen up the ranks on the SkÃ¥l Asia board, firstly as a director and most recently as its Vice President.âÂ
He also feels that with the support of its members, he has what it takes to drive the area forward. âWith a proven track record at club level I believe I understand what it will take to give each of our 43 clubs in the 17 countries that make up the Asian Area, the support and encouragement for success,â Wood said.Â
âI would also add that we are here to support all our members. I am saddened when I hear stories of leaders who fail our Asian members and their dreams of going forward and playing bigger roles in our association. We should nurture and promote these aspirations – not squash or deny them,â he explained.Â
We next turned to his plans and future goals, âIn addition to my 12 point roadmap one of my goals will be to continue the SAA boardâs good track record over the years of working closely with the EB led by SI President Bill Rheaume. Being a former board director gives me a unique understanding of the workings of our Executive Board and I pledge my support and commitment to their leadership and goals.Â
âThere is no doubt in my mind that we need to invest in our clubs and national committees. We need to empower and finance the grassroots of our association,â he said. âCovid has reeked a terrible toll on our industry and some clubs face financial disruptions never before seen or experienced. It is now time to inject financial aid and reward good governance and to honor our pledges and to be honest in our deeds and virtues. Also, much of the future of travel and tourism is linked digitally and we need to help all our clubs in Asia to be making the most of online marketing, communications, and business opportunities,â he added.Â
Wood also feels that more can be done to support and encourage the 6 Asia members of SkÃ¥lâs powerful International Council. A former Councillor himself, (2006-2010) he feels that by working together the Asia International Councillors should elect a spokesperson to ensure that the goals and aspirations of the Asian Area are being met and actively pursued. The influential council is important and should be fully supported and encouraged.Â
Wood believes experience and contacts are very important tools for any leader. âI believe I am the best-equipped candidate that has grown with Asia during its most formative years (under Presidents Earl Wieman, Gerry Perez, and the late Marco Battistotti). This included a time when we helped both Singapore and India to rejoin Asia. No one better understands what we need to do to prepare for the future, a very different world â post-Covid, â he addedÂ
With more than 2500 members here in Asia representing 1 in 5 of all SkÃ¥l Members worldwide, we need to be strongly represented and have a voice. Asia has often led the way with global growth and savvy commercial acumen, Asia is constantly driven by the need to adopt, adapt and change. So too must SkÃ¥l Asia, there is no reason we cannot.Â
In closing, Wood said that it is auspicious that the SkÃ¥l Asia election falls in August. He first joined SkÃ¥l on the 20th of August 1992. In a new world where borders and travel are restricted, he says his energy and enthusiasm, rather than diminishing, shows no bounds.Â
âI am ready to take my beloved SKÃ L on its continuing journey of Asian friendship,â he concluded.